The better you learn to take care of yourself, the less you settle for being around people who can't or won't treat you as well as you're accustomed.

Perhaps this is how you know you're doing the thing you're intended to: No matter how slow or how slight your progress, you never feel that it's a waste of time.

Probably I, like a lot of people, became a writer in imitation of or in homage to the books I enjoyed. When you're so captivated by something, you think, could I do that? Hmm, let me try

We all make mistakes, don't we? But if you can't forgive yourself, you'll always be an exile in your own life.

People who think my books are autobiographical, which they're not, credit me with having a much better memory than I do. I do, however, have a powerful imagination

I don't really have special rituals, but I don't try to write fiction unless I have a minimum of a few hours. For me, it takes a while to settle into a mode where I'm truly concentrating

We have to make mistakes, its how we learn compassion for others

I always worried someone would notice me, and then when no one did, I felt lonely.

Obviously the bar is much higher now for a behavior to be scandalous. Social media has really changed the way people live. It's not a new impulse; it's just being enacted in a new way.

I don't think it's shameful to admit that some days your time can be better spent reading than writing.

I have this theory that the likeability question comes up so much more with female characters created by female authors than it does with male characters and male authors

Do you know what we Turks think is the best Turkish delight? The Turkish woman. She is the best Turkish delight.

But reality had other ideas.

Many homicidal lunatics are very quiet, unassuming people. Delightful fellows.

Continuity of purpose is one of the most essential ingredients of happiness in the long run, and for most men that comes chiefly through their work.

Give us more and more of real Christianity, and we shall need less of its evidences. Act upon the supposition that Christ is a Divine Teacher, and you will soon have a demonstration of its truth.

Two half philosophers will probably never a whole metaphysician make.

I use to live in a room full of mirrors, all I could see was me.

Art came fluidly, so I was able to teach myself many of the things I thought were important by copying and mimicking my artistic idols.

I always read the papers, the political bits.

You need to know that even as life develops in superficially disappointing ways, there is still fun to be had.